Randy's Blog

Did you know that the U.S. is one of a relatively few number of countries around the world that does not have an official language? Many people are surprised when they learn that – even though over half of the 50 states have adopted English as their official language -- it has not been adopted as the official language of the United States as a whole. Even our fact-checking friends over at Politifact were surprised to learn this, although they had to rate the statement “true” after doing some research.

Our nation is undeniably unique because of the diversity of its people. At the same time, there are things that unify our country, like the American flag and our national anthem.

For years, there has been a debate as to whether or not English should also be one of the things that unites our nation, by requiring official functions of the United States be conducted in English. Not too long ago, I cosponsored the English Language Unity Act to do just that and declare English as the official language of the United States. It’s a common sense step, and also serves to promote the idea of unifying our country around a common language. Take a look at the bill text for yourself, here.

You and I both know securing the border and enforcing our immigration laws needs to not just be a priority – but a reality. Here are two bills I’ve been working on to that end:

H.R. 3009. This bipartisan bill cuts off certain federal grant funding for “sanctuary cities” – cities that do not comply with current federal immigration law. This bill passed the House and is on its way to the Senate. Take a look at the bill, here.

H.R. 1148. This bill is critical – it removes the ability of the President to unilaterally shut down immigration enforcement, strengthens the interior enforcement of our immigration laws by allowing state and local governments to enforce federal immigration law, and immediately deports any illegal alien in our nation who is a member of a violent criminal gang. Read the text for yourself, here. The bill has been passed by the House Judiciary Committee, with my support, and now awaits consideration before the full House of Representatives -- I’ll keep you posted.

Our nation’s message to the world needs to be crystal clear: our borders are secure. Our laws will be enforced. Our citizens will be protected.

Good news on the passage of The Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act (H.R. 3009) – a bipartisan bill, which cuts off certain federal grant funding for sanctuary cities that do not comply with current federal immigration laws.

The bill passed the House last night, with my support, and is now headed over to the Senate for consideration, but the fight is far from over. This bill is just the first step in ensuring local law enforcement is enforcing immigration law. It is crucial that Congress continues to act aggressively to hold the Administration’s feet to the fire, and to be unrelenting in our demand that they enforce the laws of this nation, as the Constitution requires them to do. I will keep you updated on my continued action.

When I questioned Secretary Johnson, head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), at a recent Judiciary Hearing, he was unable to confirm the number of criminal illegal immigrants with gang affiliations that have been deported, the number of criminal illegal immigrants with gang affiliations that DHS has released, or even explain the process for determining if any of these illegal immigrants are members of criminal gangs, before they are released. This is unconscionable. We shouldn’t have to wait for a gang member to commit a crime, or worse, commit a violent crime, and simply be released. That’s why I wrote legislative language to immediately deport any illegal alien in our nation who is a member of a violent criminal gang, which is included in this year’s border security and interior enforcement bill, (H.R. 1148). The bill has been passed by the House Judiciary Committee and now awaits consideration before the full House of Representatives -- I’ll keep you posted.

Many people are surprised when they learn that – even though over half of the 50 states have adopted English as their official language, it has not been adopted as the official language of the United States as a whole. In fact, the U.S. is one of a relatively few number of countries around the world that does not have an official language.

Our nation is undeniably unique because of the diversity of its people. At the same time, there are things that unify our country, like the American flag and our national anthem.

For years, there has been a debate as to whether or not English should also be one of the things that unites our nation, by requiring official functions of the United States be conducted in English. Not too long ago, I cosponsored the English Language Unity Act (H.R. 997), to do just that and declare English as the official language of the United States. It’s a commonsense step, and also serves to promote the idea of unifying our country around a common language. I will keep you posted on the progress of this bill.

A secure border should not just be a priority, it should be a reality.

That’s why the House Judiciary Committee passed the Michael Davis, Jr. In Honor of State and Local Law Enforcement Act (H.R. 1148), which is an updated version of the SAFE Act. This bill, which I co-sponsored, removes the President’s ability to unilaterally shut down immigration enforcement, and strengthens the interior enforcement of our immigration laws by allowing state and local governments to enforce federal immigration law.

I am also supporting H.Res.11, to authorize the House of Representatives to legally determine in federal court whether President Obama’s unilateral immigration actions violate the Constitution, and allow the Speaker to seek a declaratory judgment to compel the President to obey our nation’s immigration laws.

Currently, there are laws forbidding individuals from receiving Social Security payments if they are here illegally. However, their entire work history – even work done as an illegal immigrant – can still count towards Social Security benefits if the individual later becomes a legal U.S. resident.

In my opinion, that makes no sense. That’s why I’m championing the No Social Security for Illegal Immigrants Act (H.R. 1716) to stop unauthorized work from counting towards Social Security credits. I will keep you updated on its progress as it moves through the House in the 114th Congress.

Real quick note – just wanted to be sure you saw that H.Res.11 was recently introduced to provide the House of Representatives with the authority to initiate litigation regarding the failure of the President, the head of any department or agency, or any other officer of the executive branch, to act in accordance with their constitutional and legal duties regarding immigration laws.

This will authorize the House of Representatives to legally determine in federal court whether President Obama’s unilateral immigration actions violate the Constitution and federal immigration law duties. Specifically, this bill allows the Speaker to seek declaratory judgment to compel the President to obey immigration laws as passed by Congress, signed into law by previous presidents, and interpreted by federal judges.

I will keep you posted.

In the meantime, I am working with the Judiciary Committee on legislation to secure the border, remove the President's ability to unilaterally shut down immigration enforcement, and strengthen the E-verify system. Learn more, here.

Did you know that the U.S. is one of the very few nations in the world without an official language?

I recently cosponsored The English Language Unity Act (H.R. 997), to declare English as the official language of the United States, and require the U.S. government to conduct all official business in English materials. It’s a commonsense step, and also serves to promote the idea of unifying our country around a common language.

One note – this bill is not to say that immigrants to our country should abandon their native roots. It is important for immigrant families to teach their children where they came from and encourage knowledge of their native language. Likewise, it is equally important for young Americans to study the language and culture of other nations so that they can become well-read and informed citizens. Instead, the purpose of this bill is simply to encourage all residents to become fully proficient in English.

As a nation of immigrants created by a common thread of language, it is important that we protect the unity that the English language affords us. Without it, we will cease to be e pluribus unum—one nation out of many.

Wanted to loop you in on two very important bills I’ve been working on with the Judiciary Committee this past week:

The first is an updated version of Congressman Gowdy’s SAFE Act (which I emailed you about earlier this year). This bill (H.R. 1148) removes the ability of the President to unilaterally shut down immigration enforcement, and strengthens the interior enforcement of our immigration laws by allowing state and local governments to enforce federal immigration law.

The second bill is the Legal Workforce Act (H.R. 1147), which preserves jobs for legal workers by requiring U.S. employers to check the work eligibility of all future hires through the E-Verify system.

Both of these bills are positive action steps towards securing our borders, enforcing our current immigration laws, reducing illegal immigration, and saving jobs for legal workers. I’ll keep you posted as they move through the House process.

Wanted to let you know that I just cosponsored a new anti-amnesty amendment to prevent funding to implement the Administration’s executive amnesty. The amendment was filed with the House Rules Committee this morning, as they meet to discuss the spending bill for the federal government.

It is crucial that Congress uses all tools available to rein in the President’s overreach, and uphold the rule of law. Giving the power of the purse to Congress was not an accident, and it is time the Administration understands that adhering to the Constitution is not optional.